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Micronutrient deficiencies caused by lack of Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Vitamin A in the human body have negative effect with regard to health issues worldwide. Imbalances of these nutrients in the human body create a significant risk of illness and mortality among children under five years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Some of the food crops that thought to reduce micronutrients include rice, sweet potato, dry bean, sorghum, corn, barley, and finger millet have been biofortified through ways of agronomic practices, conventional breeding, or modern biotechnology. Despite the fact that dry beans address Fe and Zn deficiencies based on recommended dietary allowances (RDA), they often take a long time to cook. Many communities have limited cooking resources which make them rely on burning wood, charcoal or other biofuels that require more time and money. This study identified dry bean cultivars with enhanced Fe and Zn concentration levels and fast cooking time from 200 cultivars. Experiments were conducted under a complete randomized block design with two replications, 200 cultivars, and two different agro-ecologies. Iron and Zinc concentration levels were determined from the harvested seed grains of each bean cultivar using X-Ray Fluorescence while cooking time of similar cultivars were determined using the Mattson cooker. The variation of Fe and Zn concentration was significantly different at (p Key words: Micronutrient deficiencies, Biofortification, Cultivars, Cooking time, Vulnerable group, Variation, INTRODUCTION Iron and Zinc are essential micronutrients for body growth, development, reproduction and other physiological functions in the human body [1]. The available data on zinc level in serum and [...]

Diabetic kidney disease is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and autophagy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) extract (ABE) on oxidative stress and autophagy in the kidneys of diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats received 0,10, or 40 mg/kg of ABE orally for 4 weeks, whereas vehicle- injected control rats received distilled water. Level of plasma glutathione and expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), p47phox (NADPH oxidase subunit), and markers associated with autophagy were examined. The glutathione level in the 40 mg/kg ABE- treated diabetic group (ABE-40 group) was higher than that of the untreated diabetic group (ABE-0 group). The HO-1 and p47phox protein expression levels of the ABE-40 group were lower (47% and 33%, respectively) than those of the ABE-0 group. The level of light chain 3B II (LC3B-II) was higher in the ABE-40 group than in the ABE-0 group. Protein levels of p62/sequestosome 1 (p62) in the ABE-40 group were lower than those in the ABE-0 group. Our results suggest that ABE may attenuate STZ-induced diabetic kidney injury by suppressing oxidative stress and (or) by upregulating autophagy. Key words: polyphenol, azuki bean, oxidative stress, autophagy, kidney, diabetes. L'insuffisance renale causee par le diabete est associee au stress oxydatif, a l'inflammation et a l'autophagie. Le but de ces travaux etait d'etudier l'effet de l'extrait de haricots azuki (Vigna angularis) (EHA) sur le stress oxydatif et l'autophagie dans les reins de rats diabetiques. Des rats chez qui le diabete etait provoque par la streptozotocine (STZ) ont recu 0,10 ou 40 mg/kg d'EHA pendant 4 semaines, alors que le vehicule a ete injecte a des rats temoins sous forme d'eau distillee. Nous avons etudie les taux plasmatiques du glutathion et l'expression de l'heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), de la sous-unite oxydase p47phox de la NADPH et de marqueurs associes a l'autophagie dans le plasma. Les taux de glutathion etaient plus eleves dans le groupe de rats diabetiques auxquels l'EHA etait administre a 40 mg/kg (groupe EHA-40) que dans le groupe de rats diabetiques ne recevant pas d'EHA (groupe EHA-0). L'expression proteique de l'HO-1 et de l'unite p47phox etaient moins elevee dans le groupe EHA-40 que dans le groupe EHA-0 (47 et 33%, respectivement). Les taux de chaines legeres 3B II (CL3B-II) etaient plus eleves dans le groupe EHA-40 que dans le groupe EHA-0. Les taux proteiniques de p62/sequestosome 1 (p62) etaient moins eleves dans le groupe EHA-40 que dans le groupe EHA-0. Nos resultats laissent entendre que l'EHA pourrait attenuer les lesions renales chez le rat dont le diabete est provoque par la STZ en contrant le stress oxydatif ou en regulant l'autophagie a la hausse. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: polyphenol, haricot azuki, stress oxydatif, autophagie, rein, diabete., Introduction Diabetic kidney disease is a worldwide public health concern that is a known cause of end-stage renal disease and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Hyperglycemia produces oxidative [...]

Cyclopia subternata is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine to relieve pain. In this study, we investigated the antiseptic effects and underlying mechanisms of vicenin-2 and scolymoside, which are 2 active compounds from C. subternata that act against high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-mediated septic responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mice. The antiseptic activities of vicenin-2 and scolymoside were determined by measuring permeability, neutrophil adhesion and migration, and activation of proinflammatory proteins in HMGB1-activated HUVECs and mice. According to the results, vicenin-2 and scolymoside effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced release of HMGB1, and suppressed HMGB1-mediated septic responses such as hyperpermeability, the adhesion and migration of leukocytes, and the expression of cell adhesion molecules. In addition, vicenin-2 and scolymoside suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6, and activation of nuclear factor-κB and extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 by HMGB1. Collectively, these results indicate that vicenin-2 and scolymoside could be a potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway. Key words: vicenin-2, scolymoside, HMGB1, sepsis, inflammation. Cyclopia subternata est une plante medicinale communement utilisee en medecine traditionnelle pour soulager la douleur lors de processus biologiques. Dans cette etude, les auteurs ont examine les effets antiseptiques et les mecanismes sous-jacents de la vicenine-2 et du scolymoside, deux composes actifs de C. subternata, contre les reponses septiques provoquees par la proteine B1 du groupe de haute mobilite (HMGB1) dans les HUVEC et chez la souris. Les activites antiseptiques de la vicenine-2 et du scolymoside ont ete determinees en mesurant la permeabilite, l'adhesion et la migration des neutrophiles, ainsi que l'activation des proteines pro-inflammatoires chez les HUVEC activees par HMGB1 et la souris. Selon les resultats, la vicenine-2 et le scolymoside inhibaient efficacement la liberation de HMGB1 induite par le lipopolysaccharide, et supprimaient les reponses septiques provoquees par HMGB1, comme l'hyperpermeabilite, l'adhesion et la migration des leucocytes et l'expression de molecules d'adhesion cellulaire. De plus, la vicenine-2 et le scolymoside supprimaient la production de facteur necrosant des tumeurs-α et d'interleukine 6, et l'activation du facteur nucleaire κB et les kinases ERK1/2 par HMGB1. Dans l'ensemble, ces resultats indiquent que la vicenine-2 et le scolymoside pourraient consttuer des agents therapeutiques potentiels dans le traitement de plusieurs maladies inflammatoires vasculaires, par l'inhibition de la voie signaletique de HMGB1. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: vicenine-2, scolymoside, HMGB1, sepsie, inflammation., Introduction High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) was first identified as a nuclear chromosomal protein that participates in the maintenance of nucleosomal structure and stability, as well as regulation of [...]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Sesbania grandiflora flower (SGF) extract on erythrocyte membrane in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Adult male albino [...]

Abstract: Acrylamide is a hazardous substance inducing oxidative stress. Based on some evidence on the antioxidant properties of fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, this study was conducted to investigate the protective effect [...]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of substitution of red meat with legumes in the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) diet on cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes patients based on dietary education. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was a randomized, controlled, cross-over trial. Thirty-one participants (24 women and 7 men; age: 58.1 [+ or -]6.0 years) with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to consume a control diet (legume-free TLC diet) and legume-based TLC diet for 8 weeks. Legume-based TLC diet was the same as the control diet, but the legume-based TLC group was advised to replace two servings of red meat with legumes, 3 days per week. After the interventional period, a washout period was conducted for 4 weeks. The groups were then advised to follow the alternate treatment for 8 weeks. Cardiometabolic risk factors were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the legume-free TLC diet, the legume-based TLC diet significantly decreased fasting blood glucose (P = 0.04), fasting insulin (P = 0.04), triglyceride concentrations (P = 0.04) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.02). Total cholesterol concentrations decreased after consumption of both TLC diet and legume TLC diet; however, the data did not differ significantly between the two diets. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not change significantly after consumption of either the legume-free TLC diet or the legume-based TLC diet. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary advice given for substitution of red meat with legume intakes within a TLC diet-improved lipid profiles and glycemic control among diabetes patients, which were independent from BMI change. This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.irct.ir) as IRCT201202251640N7. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2015) 69, 592-597; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.228; published online 29 October 2014, INTRODUCTION Cardiometabolic risk factors are the most frequent problems among type 2 diabetes patients; (1) consequently, interventions that decrease these cardiometabolic risk factors are considered beneficial to health. In previous [...]

Cambial activity and the formation of secondary xylem were investigated in the main stem of three arboreal leguminous species and one liana. To compare the seasonal vascular cambium behavior of these species, two methods were concurrently applied: induction of injury in the vascular cambium and anatomical analysis of the vascular cambium and adjacent zones (differentiation zone). One tree species, Pseudopiptadenia contorta (DC.) G.P.Lewis & M.P.Lima, was sampled in three forest formations: alluvial, submontane, and montane. Two more tree species, Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F.Macbr. and Pseudopiptadenia leptostachya (Benth.) Rauschert, were sampled in submontane and montane forest, respectively. Dalbergia frutescens (Vell.) Britton var. frutescens, a liana, was sampled in montane forest. All species investigated showed distinctive formation of annual growth rings. Reactivation of the vascular cambium was observed at the end of spring, and it remained active during the summer. Thereafter, cambial activity either ceased or declined dramatically at the end of autumn. Similar to the tree species studied,cambial activity in D. frutescens var. frutescens showed similar seasonal cambial activity throughout the year. Based on both direct and indirect methods, our results showed that cambial activity and wood formation only occurred during the rainy season, suggesting the potential of these species for use in dendrochronological studies. Key words: growth ring, tree ring, flood, vascular cambium, dendrochronology, woody vines. L'activite cambiale et la formation de xyleme secondaire ont ete examinees dans la tige principale de trois especes de legumineuses arboricoles et une liane. Afin de comparer le comportement saisonnier du cambium vasculaire de ces especes, deux methodes ont ete employees concurremment: l'induction d'un dommage au cambium vasculaire et l'analyse anatomiquedu cambium vasculaire et des zones adjacentes (zone de differenciation). Une espece d'arbre, Pseudopiptadenia contorta (DC.) G.P.Lewis & M.P.Lima, a ete echantillonnee dans trois formations forestieres: alluviale, subalpine et alpine. Deux autres especes d'arbres, Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F.Macbr. et Pseudopiptadenia leptostachya (Benth.) Rauschert, ont ete echantillonnees en foret subalpine et alpine, respectivement. Dalbergia frutescens (Vell.) Britton var. frutescens, une liane, a ete echantillonnee en foret alpine. Toutes les especes examinees presentaient une formation distinctive d'anneaux de croissance annuels. La reactivation du cambium vasculaire etait observee a la fin du printemps et demeurait active durant l'ete. Par la suite, l'activite cambiale cessait ou declinait dramatiquement a la fin de l'automne. De facon similaire a celle des trois especes d'arbres etudiees, l'activite cambiale de D. frutescens var. frutescens presentait un patron saisonnier similaire tout au long de l'annee. Selon les deux methodes, directe et indirecte, les resultats des auteurs montrent que l'activite cambiale et la formation du bois surviennent seulement durant la saison des pluies, ce qui suggere que ces especes pourraient potentiellement etre utilisees pour des etudes dendrochronologiques. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: anneau de croissance, cerne, inondation, cambium vasculaire, dendrochronologie, liane ligneuse., Introduction Earlier investigators used different methods to study cambial activity, but the approach was frequently indirect (Callado et al. 2013, 2014). They either used dendrometers or induced cambial injury to [...]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of polysaccharide from Angelica and Astragalus (AAP) on carbon tetrachloride (C[Cl.sub.4]) induced liver damage in mice. A total of 120 Kunming mice were randomly distributed among 6 groups comprising (i) the normal control mice, (ii) the C[Cl.sub.4] treatment group, (iii) the bifendate treatment group, (iv) the AAP treatment group, (v) the Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) treatment group, and (vi) the Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP) treatment group. AAP, ASP and AMP were administered to mice treated with C[Cl.sub.4]. The activities of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in the serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver tissues were quantified, as well as the liver index. Hepatic histological changes were observed by staining liver sections with hematoxylin and eosin. Our results show that bifendate, AAP, ASP, and AMP significantly decreased the activities of MDA, AST, and ALT, and enhanced the activity of SOD in C[Cl.sub.4]-treated mice. Bifendate, AAP, ASP, and AMP consistently ameliorated the liver injuries induced with C[Cl.sub.4]. Notably, the hepatoprotective effect of AAP was stronger than that of bifendate, ASP, or AMP. In addition, AAP alleviated liver inflammation and decreased the liver indexes of mice induced with C[Cl.sub.4]. These effects were at least partly due to the antioxidant properties of AAP in scavenging free radicals to ameliorate oxidative stress and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Key words: Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (AMP), Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation. Cette etude visait a examiner les effets du polysaccharide d'Angelica et Astragalus (PAA) sur le dommage hepatique induit par le tetrachlorure de carbone (C[Cl.sub.4]) chez la souris. Au total, 120 souris Kunming ont ete reparties de maniere aleatoire en 6 groupes : (i) groupe controle normal, (ii) groupe traite au C[Cl.sub.4], (iii) groupe traite au bifendate, (iv) groupe traite au PAA, (v) groupe traite avec le polysaccharide d'Angelica sinensis (PAS), et (vi) le groupe traite au polysaccharide dAstragalus membranaceus (PAM). Le PAA, le PAS et le PAM ont ete administres aux souris parallelement au C[Cl.sub.4]. L'activite de l'alanine transaminase (ALT) et de l'aspartate transaminase (AST) du serum, la superoxyde dismutase (SOD) et le malonaldehyde (MDA) du foie et l'indice hepatique ont ete quantifies, respectivement. Les changements histologiques hepatiques ont ete observes a l'aide d'une coloration a l'HE. Les resultats des auteurs ont montre que le bifendate, le PAA, le PAS et le PAM diminuaient de facon significative le MDA et l'activite de l'ALT et de l'AST, et augmentaient l'activite de la SOD chez les souris traitees au C[Cl.sub.4]. De la meme maniere, le bifendate, le PAA, le PAS et le PAM attenuaient les dommages hepatiques induits par le C[Cl.sub.4]. Particulierement, l'effet hepato-protecteur du PAA etait superieur a celui du bifendate, du PAS et du PAM. De plus, le PAA attenuait l'inflammation du foie et diminuait l'indice hepatique des souris traitees au C[Cl.sub.4]. Ces effets etaient dus, au moins en partie, aux proprietes anti-oxydantes du PAA qui, en piegeant les radicaux libres, diminue le stress oxydant et inhibe la peroxydation lipidique. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: polysaccharide d'Astragalus membranaceus (PAM), polysaccharide d'Angelica sinensis (PAS), superoxyde dismutase (SOD), stress oxydant, peroxydation lipidique., Introduction The liver is considered to be a key organ with respect to metabolism, detoxification, and the secretory functions of the body. Hepatic injury is a fundamental pathological process in [...]

Trigonellafoenum-graecum L. is enriched with many active ingredients. TFG oil was evaluated for its protective effect against deltamethrin toxicity in rats. Rats of the control group were administered saline. The 2nd group was administered deltamethrin (DLM) orally at a concentration of 15 mg/kg body mass. The 3rd and 4th groups were administered DLM at a concentration of 15 mg/kg body mass and were fed diets containing 2.5% and 5% TFG oil, respectively. DLM intoxication reduced red blood cell and platelet counts, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit value while it induced leucocytosis. Furthermore, it increased serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, [gamma]-glutamyltransferase, triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, urea, and creatinine; increased hepatic, renal, and brain lipid peroxidation; decreased serum acetylcholine esterase level; and decreased hepatic, renal, and brain antioxidant markers' activities. However, TFG oil kept the studied hematological and biochemical parameters within normal ranges. In addition, it prevented lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress induced by DLM intoxication in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, these results indicated that TFG oil inhibited the toxic effects of DLM on hematological and biochemical parameters as well as oxidative status by its free radical scavenging and potent antioxidant activities, and it appeared to be a promising protective agent against DLM-induced toxicity. Key words: deltamethrin, Trigonellafoenum-graecum, haematological changes, biochemical changes, oxidative stress parameters. Trigonellafoenum-graecum L. est riche en plusieurs ingredients actifs. L'huile de TFG a ete evaluee sur le plan de son effet protecteur envers la toxicite de la deltamethrine (DLM) chez le rat. Les rats du groupe controle ont recu de la saline. Le deuxieme groupe a recu 15 mg/kg (poids corporel) de DLM par voie orale. Les troisieme et quatrieme groupes ont recu 15 mg/kg (poids corporel) de DLM et ils ont ete nourris avec des dietes comportant 2,5% et 5% d'huile de TFG, respectivement. L'intoxication a la DLM reduisait le decompte en erythrocytes et en plaquettes, la concentration d'hemoglobine et l'hematocrite alors qu'elle induisaitune leucocytose. De plus, elle accroissait les niveaux seriques de lactase deshydrogenase, d'aspartate aminotransferase, d'alanine aminotransferase, de phosphatase alcaline, de [gamma]-glutamyltransferase, de triglycerides, de cholesterol, d'acide urique, d'uree et de creatine, ainsi que la peroxydation lipidique hepatique, renale et cerebrale, alors qu'elle diminuait les niveaux d'acetylcholine esterase et l'activite de marqueurs antioxydants hepatiques, renaux et cerebraux. Cependant, l'huile de TFG maintenait les parametres hematologiques et biochimiques etudies dans les limites normales. De plus, elle prevenait la peroxydation lipidique et le stress oxydant induits par l'intoxication a la DLM en fonction de sa concentration. Ainsi, ces resultats ont indique que l'huile de TFG inhibait les effets toxiques de la DLM sur les parametres hematologiques et biochimiques ainsi que sur l'etat oxydant, grace a ses activites de piegeage de radicaux libres et anti-oxydantes. Elle semble etre un agent protecteur prometteur contre la toxicite induite par la DLM. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: deltamethrine, Trigonellafoenum-graecum, changements hematologiques, changements biochimiques, parametres du stress oxydant., Introduction Deltamethrin (DLM) is a synthetic pyrethroid and is effectively used against a wide range of insects that are harmful for plants and animals, including ants, mites, beetles, weevils, ticks, [...]

Puerarin (Pur), an isoflavonoid extracted from the dried roots of Pueraria lobata, has been reported to be useful in the treatment of various diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities of Pur against 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced neurotoxicity. For 5 consecutive days, male Wistar rats were given Pur (200 mg/kg body mass) 30 min before treatment with 20 mg/kg body mass of 3-NP. The striata, hippocampi, and cortices of the 3-NP treated group showed apoptotic damage, inflammation, and energy deficit as well as histopathological lesions. The 3-NP-induced alteration in apoptotic biomarkers (caspase-3 activity/level, cytosolic cytochrome c, Bax/Bcl-2 levels) were significantly ameliorated by Pur treatment. Moreover, Pur pretreatment blocked 3-NP-induced inflammatory biomarkers (NF-κB, TNF-α, and iNOS) and prevented the energy deficit (ATP reduction). Nissl staining further confirmed Pur's neuroprotective effect. These results indicate that Pur may be a useful preventive approach to various neurodegenerative diseases with underlying apoptosis and neuroinflammation. Key words: Huntington's disease, puerarin, 3-nitropropionic acid, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, Nissl staining, ATP. On rapporte que la puerarine (Pur), un isoflavonoide extrait des racines sechees de Pueraria lobata, est utile dans le traitement de diverses maladies. L'etude presente a ete concue afin d'evaluer le role des activites anti-apoptose et antiinflammatoire de la Pur sur la neuro-toxicite induite par l'acide 3-nitropropionique (3-NO). Des rats Wistar males ont recu 20 mg x [kg.sup.-1] de 3-NP pendant 5 jours consecutifs alors que la Pur (200 mg x [kg.sup.-1]) a ete administree 30 minutes avant le 3-NP. Le striatum, l'hippocampe et le cortex des rats du groupe traite au 3-NP presentaient des dommages relies a l'apoptose, a l'inflammation et au deficit energetique de meme que des lesions histopathologiques. Les modifications induites par le 3-NP sur le plan des biomarqueurs de l'apoptose (activite et niveau de caspase-3, cytochrome c cytosolique, niveaux de Bax/Bcl- 2) etaient significativement ameliorees par le traitement a la Pur. En outre, le traitement a la Pur bloquait l'induction de biomarqueurs inflammatoires par le 3-NP (NF-κB, TNF-α et iNOS) et prevenait le deficit energetique (diminution de l'ATP). La coloration de Nissl a confirme l'effet neuro-protecteur de la Pur. Ces resultats indiquent que l'utilisation de Pur pourrait constituer une approche preventive a plusieurs maladies neuro-degeneratives qui ont pour base l'apoptose et la neuro-inflammation. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: maladie de Huntington; puerarine, acide 3-nitropropionique, apoptose, neuro-inflammation, coloration de Nissl, ATP., Introduction Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerating disease caused by a dominant mutation in the huntingtin gene (Bantubungi and Blum 2007). Although the mutated huntingtin protein is expressed throughout [...]

The objective of this study was to investigate whether a diet rich in legumes are associated with oxidative stress among type 2 diabetic patients. In a randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial, 31 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 diets, each for a period of 8 weeks: (1) The legume-free therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet and (2) the legume-based TLC diet. Both diets were similar except that 2 servings of red meat were replaced by different types of legumes 3 days per week in the legume-based TLC diet. Oxidative stress biomarkers were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Compared to the legume-free TLC diet, the legume-based TLC diet significantly decreased malondialdehyde (-0.22 versus -0.68 [mu]mol/l; P=0.002), oxidized-LDL (-0.9 versus -2.3 mU/l; P=0.05) and increased nitric oxide (0.40 versus 0.96 mM/l; P=0.03) and catalase activity (1.2 versus 2.1 Iu/ml; P=0.05). European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2018) 72, 174-176; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.113; published online 19 July 2017, Author(s): P Mirmiran [1]; S Hosseinpour-Niazi [2]; F Azizi [3] Introduction Ameliorating oxidative stress through diets rich in antioxidants has been suggested as a new therapy for diabetes patients for [...]

ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Pharmacokinetics Astragaloside IV (AGS-IV) Total astragalosides Radix Astragali Human Tolerance ABSTRACT Total astragalosides (TA) are the principal active constituents isolated from Radix Astragali, which has been extensively [...]

ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Astragali Radix Hedysari Radix Danggui Buxue Tang Traditional Chinese medicine ABSTRACT Astragali Radix (AR) has been used for over 2000 years in China for the enrichment of [...]

ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Oxymatrine from Sophora flavescens Chronic constrictive injury NR2B p-ERK p-CREB Neuropathic pain ABSTRACT Purpose: In this study we investigated a ntinociceptive effects of oxymatrine through regulation of [...]

ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Aspalathus linearis Rooibos Aspalathin Glucose uptake Palmitate Insulin resistance ABSTRACT Increased levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), specifically saturated free fatty acids such as palmitate are associated [...]

Grain legumes are a valuable source of food proteins; hence, their exploitation is expected to grow in relation to a growing world's food needs. Apart from high level of dietary fibre, their protein composition makes them useful in managing diabetes. This paper reports a study conducted to evaluate the effects of four different non-soy legume-based (Vigna unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var dekindtiana, Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata, Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Vigna subterranea) diets in rats administered with alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg bodyweight). Concentration of plasma glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and HDL-triacyglycerol as well as hepatic levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerols were determined spectrophotometrically in alloxan-induced diabetic rats fed on these legumes for five weeks. Induction of rats with alloxan monohydrate led to significant (p < 0.05) elevation of fasting plasma glucose and reduction in body weight. Consumption of each of the four legumes led to a significant reduction in the fasting plasma glucose concentrations in the diabetic rats (p < 0.05) with V. subterranean causing about 60% reduction. Vigna unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var dekindtiana and Sphenostylis stenocarpa caused a reversal of the diabetes-induced reduction of hepatic cholesterol (p < 0.05). Plasma dyslipidemia was observed in the alloxan-induced diabetic rats as significant (p < 0.05) increases in total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, HDL-cholesterol, HDL-triacylglycerols and LDL-cholesterol levels were observed. The legumes improved the plasma lipid profile as shown by a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the ratios of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol (ranging from 1.25-2.25 for control groups to 1.00-1.35 for the legume-fed groups) and LDL Cholesterol/HDL-Cholesterol (ranging from 0.50-1.75 for control groups to 0.50-0.75 for the legume fed groups). The results suggest that wild cowpea, white cowpea, african yam bean and bambara groundnut equally reversed diabetes-associated dyslipidemia as indicated by the indexes of cardiovascular disorder. This, therefore, underscores the potential of these underutilized legumes in managing dyslipidemia associated with diabetes in experimental rats. These data should contribute toward enhancing the nutraceutical potential and utility of these legumes. Key words: Diabetes, lipid profile, rats, legumes, INTRODUCTION Legumes belong to the family Leguminosae, which is probably the second most important source of food next only to the family Gramineae--the cereal grains [1]. They are important in [...]

Fasting leptin and ghrelin levels were measured in 36 insulin-sensitive (IS) and 28 insulin-resistant (IR) men who consumed a legume-enriched low-glycemic index (LG) diet or healthy American (HA) diet in a randomly ordered cross-over feeding study consisting of two 4-week periods. Weight remained stable over the entire study. Fasting plasma leptin was significantly reduced from pre-study levels by both the LG (18.8%, P < 0.001) and HA (16.1%, P < 0.001) diets, whereas fasting ghrelin did not change. By subgroup analysis according to prestudy insulin status, leptin was reduced in IR subjects after both the LG (17.1%, P < 0.01) and the HA (33.3%, P < 0.001) diets, whereas IS subjects responded only after the LG diet (23.1%, P < 0.01). Thus, a legume-rich LG index diet may be a beneficial strategy for reducing circulating leptin concentrations, even under conditions of weight maintenance. European journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 415-418; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.273; published online 5 January 2011 Keywords: ghrelin; insulin resistance; legume-enriched diet; leptin, Introduction Leptin, a 16-kDa protein encoded by the obese (ob) gene, is produced primarily by the adipose tissues and is thought to have a key role in weight maintenance. In [...]

Background/Objectives: To assess the possible role of particular patterns of food consumption in the occurrence of hypertension. Subjects/Methods: A cross-sectional study of 571 members of defence forces was carried out in eight military institutions in Yaounde, Cameroon. Blood pressure was measured with automatic sphygmomanometers simultaneously at both arms. Food consumption data were obtained through a food frequency questionnaire and lifestyle questionnaire was used to ascertain information on physical activity and other risk factors. Results: Two dietary patterns were identified. The &apos;fruit and vegetable&apos; pattern was typified by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, tubers and legumes. The &apos;meat&apos; pattern was characterized by a high intake of bush meat, poultry and red meat. After adjustment for age, body mass index, rank, vigorous physical activity and total energy intake, the fruit and vegetable pattern was significantly associated with a reduced risk of hypertension (odds ratio (OR) = 0.40;95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.20-0.83, P = 0.04) when comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of dietary pattern scores. No significant relationship was apparent between the meat pattern and hypertension. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, tubers and legumes may have an important role in regulating blood pressure. More prospective and extensive data are warranted to investigate the magnitude of cardiovascular disease in that specific population. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 1014-1021; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.109; published online 30 June 2010 Keywords: hypertension; blood pressure; dietary pattern; defence forces; Cameroon, Introduction Hypertension has been named the silent killer, and it is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality in adult population (Chockalingam et [...]

The Legume Inflammation Feeding Experiment is, to our knowledge, the first randomized crossover feeding trial testing the effects of a legume-enriched, low-glycemic index (GI) diet among men characterized for colorectal adenomas and insulin resistance (IR) status. This study was designed to test the effects of a legume-enriched diet compared with a healthy American (HA) diet under weight-stable conditions. The primary objective was to assess effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) and C-peptide levels. The secondary objective was to assess changes by IR status or history ef adenomas. A total of 64 men who completed a colonoscopy within the previous 2 y consumed 2 diets in random order each for 4 wk separated by a washout period. The diets were a legume-enriched (250 g/d), low-GI (GI 38) diet and a high-GI (GI 69) HA diet. We measured fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, CRP, and soluble tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] receptors I and II (sTNFRI/II) at the beginning and end of the diet periods. Participants who consumed both the legume and HA diets had favorably improved CRP (-20.2 and -18.3%) and sTNFRI (-3.7 and -4.4%) concentrations, respectively. The sTNFRII concentrations declined marginally during the legume diet period (-3.8%; P = 0.060) and significantly during the HA diet period (-5.1%; P < 0.001). Fasting glucose increased significantly during both the legume (+1.8%) and HA (-2.2%) diet periods. Only the changes in glucose differed between the diet periods. Serum C-peptide and plasma insulin levels did not change in participants consuming either diet. Healthful dietary changes can improve biomarkers of IR and inflammation. J. Nutr. 140: 60-67, 2010. doi: 10.3945/jn.109.114249.

The increasing cost of feed supplements necessitates evaluation of alternatives for ruminant livestock grazing poor quality warm-season grasses. This study determined how supplementing bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum Fliigge cv. Pensacola) with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal or warm-season legume hays affected intake, digestibility, and N utilization by lambs. Dorper x Katadhin crossbred lambs (30.6 [+ or -] 5.5 kg; n = 42) were fed bahiagrass hay (73.8% NDF, 8.1% CP) for ad libitum intake and supplemented with nothing (control), soybean meal, or hays of annual peanut [Arachis hypogaea (L.) cv. Florida MDR98; 46.2% NDF, 14.7% CP], cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Iron clay; 62.2% NDF, 11.7% CP], perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth. cv. Florigraze; 43.3% NDF, 15.2% CP), pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. cv. GA-2; 78.6% NDF, 12.2% CP], or soybean (cv. Pioneer 97B52; 59.0% NDF, 13.5% CP). Legume hays were supplemented at 50% of total diet DM, and soybean meal was supplemented at a level (4.25% of diet DM) that matched the average dietary CP content (10.8%) of the legume hay-supplemented diets. The cowpea, pigeonpea, and soybean were harvested at respective maturities that maximized DM yield and nutritive value, and the peanuts were first cuttings. Diets were fed to 6 lambs per treatment for 2 consecutive 21-d periods. Supplementation with hays of annual and perennial peanut, cowpea, and soybean increased (P < 0.01) DMI vs. control, but apparent DM digestibility was only increased (P = 0.03) by supplementation with annual or perennial peanut hay. Compared with the control, N intake, digestibility, and retention were increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation with legume hay or soybean meal. Responses were greatest when annual or perennial peanut hays were fed. Ruminal ammonia concentration was increased (P < 0.01) by all legume hay supplements vs. the control. Microbial N synthesis and ruminally degraded OM were increased (P = 0.03) by perennial and annual peanut hay supplementation, but efficiency of microbial synthesis was not different (P = 0.52) among diets. Unlike other supplements, annual and perennial peanut hays increased DM and N intake and digestibility and improved microbial N synthesis; therefore, they were the best supplements for the bahiagrass hay under the conditions of this study. Key words: bahiagrass, digestibility, intake, nitrogen retention, supplementation, tropical/subtropical legume

Our objective was to compare the capacities of biofortified and standard black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to deliver iron (Fe) for hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis. Two lines of black beans, one standard and the other biofortified (high) in Fe (71 and 106 [micro]g Fe/g, respectively), were used. Maize-based diets containing the beans were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements for swine except for Fe (Fe concentrations in the 2 diets were 42.9 [+ or -] 1.2 and 54.6 [+ or -] 0.9 mg/kg). At birth, pigs were injected with 50 mg of Fe as Fe dextran. At age 28 d, pigs were allocated to the experimental diets (n = 10). They were fed 2 times per day for 5 wk and given free access to water at all times. Body weights and Hb concentrations were measured weekly. Hb repletion efficiencies (means [+ or -] SEM) did not differ between groups and, after 5 wk, were 20.8 [+ or -] 2.1% for the standard Fe group and 20.9 [+ or -] 2.1% for the high Fe group. Final total body Hb Fe contents did not differ between the standard [539 [+ or -] 39 mg (9.7 [+ or -] 0.7 [micro]mol)] and high Fe [592 [+ or -] 28 mg (10.6 [+ or -] 0.5 [micro]mol)] bean groups (P = 0.15). The increase in total body Hb Fe over the 5-wk feeding period was greater in the high Fe bean group [429 [+ or -] 24 mg (7.7 [+ or -] 0.4 [micro]mol)] than in the standard Fe bean group [361 [+ or -] 23 mg (6.4 [+ or -] 0.4 [micro]mol)] (P = 0.034). We conclude that the biofortified beans are a promising vehicle for increasing intakes of bioavailable Fe in human populations that consume beans as a dietary staple.

Goat production is increasing in the United States due to high ethnic demand, but infection with gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasites is a major constraint to the industry. Increasing GIN resistance to chemical anthelmintics worldwide has led to the development of alternative control strategies, including use of forages containing condensed tannins (CT). An experiment was designed using infected and dewormed male kids (Kiko x Spanish, 6 mo old, 18.9 [+ or -] 3.25 kg) fed diets containing 25% concentrate and either 75% sericea lespedeza [SL; Lespedeza cuneata (Dum-Cours.) G. Don], a high CT forage (87 to 181 g of CT/kg), or 75% bermudagrass [BG; Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay (n = 10/treatment). The kids were weighed every 14 d, and fecal and blood samples were taken weekly for fecal egg counts and packed cell volume determination, respectively. Fecal cultures were processed every 14 d to determine CT effect on larval development. At slaughter, adult GIN were collected from the abomasum and small intestines for counting and speciation. Blood samples were also analyzed for plasma urea-N, and ruminal VFA and pH were determined. The infected SL-fed kids had consistently lower (P < 0.05) fecal egg counts than the infected BG goats throughout the trial and greater (P < 0.05) packed cell volume beginning by d 77. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) in kids fed SL- than BG-based diets, regardless of infection status (104.3 [+ or -] 5.0 and 75.5 [+ or -] 4.8 g/d, respectively). Total VFA and acetate concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) in the BG- than in SL-fed goats, whereas propionate levels were unaffected by diet. Acetate:propionate ratio (P = 0.01) and plasma urea-N (P = 0.03) levels were greater in BG-fed goats, whereas rumen pH was greater (P < 0.001) in the SL-fed goats. Feeding SL hay can reduce GIN infection levels and increase performance of goats compared with BG hay. Key words: gastrointestinal nematode, goat, growth, sericea lespedeza